“Internet speeds have been increasing year after year, but downloading information was always faster than uploading. Verizon is announcing that you can now upload just as fast as you can download when you use their FiOS service,” says Telecom analyst Jeff Kagan.

This speed increase is for FiOS customers, not for regular DSL customers.

“The reason for this upload speed increase is simple. We are uploading more than ever and some of us get frustrated waiting for the upload to complete. We upload pictures and videos and send more, large files than ever,” says Technology analyst Kagan.

“The strategy seems to be that Verizon wants to steer customers to choose FiOS rather than DSL service. The best way to do that is to provide an incentive for FiOS. Speed is an incentive,” says Kagan.

“This upload speed increase is part of a larger, longer-term trend that has been occurring for decades now. I see this as a way for Verizon to continue to keep up with the expectations of a changing industry. This is not a competitive advantage since speed increases across the field will continue. However this does give some Verizon customers just want they want,” says Tech analyst Kagan.

Over the years we have seen every provider of high speed Internet services increase speeds both for upload and download. That will continue. However download was always faster.

There was no real limitation. There simply was no real demand for faster upload speeds. As the years pass we have seen speeds get faster, but upload was always slower.

Now we are seeing upload speeds increase since users share and send more data for things like pictures, videos, backup services, the cloud, video chatting and more.

This upgrade is occurring because upload activity is increasing. Verizon says their upload activity is expected to double in two years.

“That’s why I don’t see this as a competitive advantage, but it is necessary for Verizon to do in order to stay competitive going forward with other phone companies and cable television companies,” says Principal analyst Kagan.

“Going forward customers will start to select either their telephone company or their cable television company, and say goodbye to the other. This gives Verizon what they need to stay attractive to their customers,” says wireless analyst Kagan.

About Jeff Kagan

Jeff Kagan is an industry analyst, consultant, columnist, author, speaker and futurist. He shares his opinion in many ways over 25 years. Helping to understand our changing world, technology, industry and competition.

He is regularly quoted by the media. He offers comment to reporters and journalists on wireless, telecom, Internet, cable television, IPTV and other tech news stories.

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Contact: Jeff Kagan by email at jeff(at)jeffKAGAN(dot)com or by phone at 770-579-5810.

Visit his website: at jeffKAGAN.com to learn more.

Full Disclosure: Jeff Kagan is an independent industry analyst. He offers comment to the media on breaking news, announcements, technologies and the changing marketplace. He also writes columns and press releases offering comment, and is an author and speaker. He also works on a consulting basis sharing his opinion.